Cool Aid’s Housing Program operates with a “housing first” philosophy that grew out of our frustration with seeing the same folks over and over again at our Emergency Shelter program. In 1991, Swift House opened with a unique, supportive approach to housing. By focusing on building community, tenants and staff collaborate to create a supportive living environment that fosters personal growth and stability.
Our practice embraces the principles of harm reduction, and employs a psycho-social rehabilitation approach to personal growth that focuses on building working relationships and trust with tenants. When tenants are ready, they are supported to take initiative in dealing with the more difficult issues in their lives, such as addictions and mental health.
Cool Aid recognizes the role that local communities can play in helping tenants achieve their goals, and is formally committed through our strategic plan to be a good neighbour. By communicating openly and working proactively with our neighbours, we strive to make a positive impact on the community. We contribute to ongoing efforts to improve the neighbourhoods we work in, through crime prevention, community unity and education.
Support Services
The Cool Aid Housing Program provides affordable, supported housing to the most marginalized people in our community. Our full spectrum of service includes tenant supports such as:
life skills promotion
medication monitoring
volunteer opportunities
regular tenant gatherings
organized outings
Some of our buildings also offer home support, housekeeping and resident meals. All support services are geared to each tenant based on an integrated, strength-based assessment of each person’s capabilities and goals.
All tenants accepted into our program are helped to understand that their apartment is their home. Over time, this allows people to regain a sense of personal security that is necessary for personal growth to take place. Indeed, research demonstrates that tenants with mental health and addiction issues benefit from supported housing in areas such as:
the therapeutic value of having a home
client recovery1
ability to live productive lives in the community
improved health status
less frequent use of health care facilities
and housing retention2
Furthermore, studies have proven the cost-effectiveness of such an approach3. Many tenants who have found stability through the program have gained the tenancy skills needed to move on to more independent housing. They may also have established an effective network of support and become ready to seek out or maintain employment. At this point, the tenant will not be evicted, but encouraged and assisted to find more suitable accommodations, with the knowledge that their apartment will now be available for someone else who needs the level of support offered within the program. Often, tenants welcome this opportunity to become active members of a larger community and enjoy a newly found sense of belonging in society.
Future Direction
Victoria, like the rest of Canada, is facing a housing crisis, particularly among the mentally ill who are the first to suffer when sufficient affordable housing is unavailable. With a growing homelessness problem on the streets, the Cool Aid Housing Program continues to work with its partners toward seeing additional housing facilities built in the future.
1 Parkinson, S. (2003), Consumer/survivor stories of empowerment and recovery in the context of supported housing, International Journal of Psychosocial Rehabilitation, 7, 103-118; Tsemberis, S. & Eisenberg, R.F. (2000), Pathways to housing: Supported housing for street-dwelling homeless individuals with psychiatric disabilities, Psychiatric Services, 51, 487-493.
2 Rosenheck, R., Kasprow, W., Frisman, L. & Liu-Mares, W. (2003), Cost-effectiveness of supported housing for homeless persons with mental illness, Arch Gen Psychiatry, 60, 940-951; Goldfinger, S.M., Schutt, R.K., Tolomiczenko, G.S., Seidman, L., Penk, W.E., Turner, W. & Caplan, B. (1999), Housing placement and subsequent days homeless among formerly homeless adults with mental illness, Psychiatric Services, 50, 674-679.
3 Schinka, J.A., Francis, E., Hughes, P., LaLone, L. & Flynn, C. (1998), Comparative outcomes and costs of inpatient care and supportive housing for substance-dependent veterans, Psychiatric Services, 49, 946-950.
Referral Processes
Our Housing Program currently operates on a referral basis, meaning that we do not accept direct applications from individuals seeking housing, and do not maintain an active waiting list. We currently accept referrals from the following sources:
Below is a breakdown of which buildings accept each referral type.
VIHA
MHAS
VIHA
HCC
VISTA
FPS
Cool Aid
Shelters
Housing
Registry
Swift House
*
*
Pandora Apts.
*
*
Johnson Manor
*
*
Mike Gidora Place
*
Cedar Grove Apts.
*
Desmond House
*
*
*
FairWay Woods
*
*
Hillside Terrace
*
Referrals are prioritized based on a variety of factors, including assessed need, suitability of supports, and anticipated fit with the existing building culture. While we make the final decisions regarding tenant placements, we have little influence with the application process until we receive the actual referrals.
To be referred to one of our buildings, please seek assistance from your Mental Health or Forensics Case Manager, Doctor, Social Worker, or Cool Aid Community Support Worker. Please do not seek assistance from a Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance Worker, as they will be unable to submit a referral.
Beginning in 1991 with the opening of Swift House, and continuing today with eight buildings containing 256 units of supported, affordable housing, each new development brings us closer to realizing our long-term vision of eliminating homelessness.
Olympic Vista seniors housing in Saanich (under construction)
New Supportive Housing at Mount View Heights: Olympic Vista
(target date: late 2010)
The exciting Olympic Vista project will create 36 new units of supportive housing for seniors who are homeless or at risk. The building will be situated within a larger development known as Mount View Heights on Carey Road in Saanich, close to transportation and other amenities. Other key elements of the Mount View Heights development include: a 244-bed Residential Care Facility; a 129-unit independent living development; provision for market development; market detached housing; and open green space.
The Olympic Vista supportive housing operated by Cool Aid will provide tenants with 24/7 staffing support, daily meals prepared and served on site, social programming, and other supports. The building will qualify for LEED® status, and will be constructed from reconfigured modular units used by the athletes in the 2010 Olympics. BC Housing has generously provided funding for capital and operating requirements, with land being provided by the Capital Regional Hospital District.
Desmond House is a 27-unit Single Room Occupancy (SRO) building that was purchased by BC Housing in 2007, and is now operated by Cool Aid. Residents have access to a single private room with shared kitchen and bathroom facilities. The tenants take great pride in their surroundings and have worked with the staff to create a strong, healthy community that is based on cooperation and respect for each other. The staff promote recreational activities and other opportunities for socialization, and ensure that the building remains a safe and clean environment.
Cedar Grove Apartments
In early 2006, Cool Aid assumed operations of Cedar Grove, a converted motel on Gorge Road. At the time, the property was owned by Innovative Communities, another local non-profit. Cool Aid has since purchased the property, and maintains a partnership with Vancouver Island Health Authority, whose generous funding allows us to provide 24/7 staffing to meet the diverse needs of the tenants.
Cedar Grove currently provides 21 homes for folks who are marginalized for a variety of reasons, and are in need of safe, affordable housing. The Cool Aid staff actively involve the tenants in building a strong and healthy community. At the same time, we offer our tenants support to develop the skills they need to be able to live independently, and to understand the rights and responsibilities associated with being members of the larger community.
Hillside Terrace
Hillside Terrace is a 45-unit, Assisted Living project for seniors 55 and older, built in partnership with BC Housing and the Vancouver Island Health Authority. Hillside Terrace provides housing to seniors who have difficulty fitting into regular housing situations and need a higher level of care. Residents are provided two meals per day, daily home support and weekly housekeeping services. VIHA provides the personal medical care while Cool Aid provides the housing component and facilitates community development within the building. Entrance criteria for Hillside Terrace is available on another page.
FairWay Woods
FairWay Woods is specifically designed to house 32 homeless and homeless-at-risk individuals who are now experiencing the added burden of dealing with all of the issues related to aging. One meal per day (dinner) is provided in our dining room. In addition, Cool Aid provides 24-hour, seven-day-a-week staffing coverage. FairWay Woods is located at 597 Goldstream Avenue in Langford and is adjacent to bus service, parks, walkways and easy accessibility to stores and restaurants.
FairWay Woods in Langford was the subject of an in-depth Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) study in which the building was highlighted as a example of best practice for housing hard-to-house seniors in Canada. The unique approach that Cool Aid staff utilize when working with tenants and outside professionals that visit the building was identified in the study as a key ingredient of its success. CMHC's full report and the Research Highlight can both be found on their web site. Another case study on FairWay Woods by the Housing Affordability Partnership can also be found online.
After learning from the successes of both Pandora Apartments and Swift House, Johnson Manor was designed for tenants who have had the most difficulty in maintaining safe, affordable housing. Since its official opening on December 1, 2001, the project has enjoyed a positive response from tenants, staff, case managers and the surrounding community. Some factors that have influenced the building’s success include its central location away from the downtown core, 24-hour, on-site staffing, and strong partnerships with key stakeholders. Johnson Manor has proven to be a cost-effective model for supporting individuals managing mental health and poly-substance abuse issues. To continue on this path of success, Cool Aid plans to complete this three-phase project by opening two more buildings in the near future.
Mike Gidora Place
Located at 749 Pandora Avenue, Mike Gidora Place started as the vision of Cool Aid's former financial administrator Mike Gidora. Upon opening in 2000, the building provided 45 units of purpose-built, small suite design, affordable housing for low income, urban singles, with a minimum of ten units subsidized by BC Housing. More recently, however, additional funding from BC Housing and Vancouver Island Health Authority has allowed Cool Aid to provide 45 subsidized units with 24/7 staffing support for the tenants. Also incorporated into the building's main floor is commercial / office space. A report available online outlines the vision and steps undertaken in the development and construction of Mike Gidora Place.
Pandora Project
Cool Aid's second housing development, the Pandora Project, contains three distinct yet complimentary programs under one roof:
Pandora Apartments - 32 units for adults managing mental health and addictions.
The Downtown Community Activity Centre (DCAC) - a multi-purpose facility for the downtown community that includes a gymnasium, computer access, kitchen and courtyard. Visit the DCAC's own page for information about programming, schedules, voice mail service and gym rentals.
Pandora Youth Apartments - eight transitional housing units for youth aged 15-19 years, operated by the YM/YWCA Outreach Services. For info call 380-2663.
Opened in 1997, the building incorporates feedback and lessons learned from many of the Swift House tenants. The DCAC has played a key role in allowing residents of all of our buildings a chance to recreate together - from playing a game of basketball to holding a tenant meeting. Tenants also participate in newsletters, in-house choir groups, community kitchens, art therapy sessions, regular shopping expeditions, camping trips and work searches. Relations with neighbouring businesses and residents continue to be positive and constructive. Tenants are valued members of the downtown community who care about the quality of their environment.
Swift House Apartments
As a result of Cool Aid's shelter staff observing the repeating pattern of homeless people cycling in and out of the emergency shelter month after month, the concept of Swift House was born. The building opened in 1991, as a 26-apartment complex designed specifically for the hard-to-house. The idea was for residents to live independently, with the support of staff trained and experienced in working with challenging behavior. There were, at first, problems: emergency call-outs, acts of vandalism, psychotic episodes and drunken behavior.
In response, the tenants banded together and the project soon developed into a tenant-involved community: it was the residents who set up a social space, became involved in decision-making and took on caretaking duties of their building. The model continues to be successful to this day.
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Housing
Our practice embraces the principles of harm reduction, and employs a psycho-social rehabilitation approach to personal growth that focuses on building working relationships and trust with tenants. When tenants are ready, they are supported to take initiative in dealing with the more difficult issues in their lives, such as addictions and mental health. 
housing for seniors who are homeless or at risk. The building will be situated within a larger development known as Mount View Heights on Carey Road in Saanich, close to transportation and other amenities. Other key elements of the Mount View Heights development include: a 244-bed Residential Care Facility; a 129-unit independent living development; provision for market development; market detached housing; and open green space. 
Hillside Terrace is a 45-unit, Assisted Living project for seniors 55 and older, built in partnership with BC Housing and the Vancouver Island Health Authority. Hillside Terrace provides housing to seniors who have difficulty fitting into regular housing situations and need a higher level of care. Residents are provided two meals per day, daily home support and weekly housekeeping services. VIHA provides the personal medical care while Cool Aid provides the housing component and facilitates community development within the building. 
After learning from the successes of both Pandora Apartments and Swift House, Johnson Manor was designed for tenants who have had the most difficulty in maintaining safe, affordable housing. Since its official opening on December 1, 2001, the project has enjoyed a positive response from tenants, staff, case managers and the surrounding community. Some factors that have influenced the building’s success include its central location away from the downtown core, 24-hour, on-site staffing, and strong partnerships with key stakeholders. Johnson Manor has proven to be a cost-effective model for supporting individuals managing mental health and poly-substance abuse issues. To continue on this path of success, Cool Aid plans to complete this three-phase project by opening two more buildings in the near future.
As a result of Cool Aid's shelter staff observing the repeating pattern of homeless people cycling in and out of the emergency shelter month after month, the concept of Swift House was born. The building opened in 1991, as a 26-apartment complex designed specifically for the hard-to-house. The idea was for residents to live independently, with the support of staff trained and experienced in working with challenging behavior. There were, at first, problems: emergency call-outs, acts of vandalism, psychotic episodes and drunken behavior.